Equine Science at Edinburgh

17/09/2026

Bonny is one of our current students about to embark on her dissertation year. Bonny already has a wealth of expertise, and runs some great workshops and courses.

17/09/2026

17/09/2026

What does a horse learn each time he or she is handled?

Every interaction teaches a horse what to expect from people and procedures. When that experience involves fear or force, horses remember, and resistance often grows.

Cooperative care changes that experience. By giving horses agency training a clear start signal and rewarding calm participation, we can shift how horses perceive veterinary care, farriery and routine handling. The result is safer procedures, less stress and better welfare.

A change in approach can change the horse's experience for the better.

Have a look at my latest WelfareWise infographic and article explaining more about the research, approach and the practical implications. Read more here:
https://www.navigatewelfare.com/post/the-role-of-cooperative-care-in-horses-for-routine-handling-and-veterinary-procedures

15/09/2026

Northumberland College will be running a programme of CPD for UK further/higher education equine teams (yard managers and technicians) throughout the 26/27 academic year. The focus will be developing and embedding ethical equine management practices so our students are prepared for the future and our horses’ daily care is designed with their experiences foremost.

We are very excited to confirm our guest presenters:

Cristina Wilkins, Horses and People Magazine Editor (The Five Domains and Teleonome)

Bonny Mealand (The horse as a social animal)

Dr Dorothy Heffernan (Equine behaviour)

Dr Emily Kieson PhD, MS, PgDip, ESMHL (Horse-human interactions)

Jo White (Human Behaviour Change)

The group will get together every couple of months throughout the year for an informal online webinar, Q&A and discussion. (Free CPD 😁😎)

Although further education equine yards will be the primary focus, we are happy to include all educational equine facilities, including riding schools. Please do share - the more participants, the more ideas and better lives for more horses 🙏😁

To register your interest please email Naomi Ainley (email address below) with a contact name and email address and we will forward further details shortly.

[email protected]

14/09/2026

Lovely to see Yang start on our vet programme here at Edinburgh. We’ve loved having Yang study on our Equine Science programme, she completed a super dissertation project on equine feeding practices and colic in China. One of our external supervisor Katie Williams from Dengie Horse Feeds co supervised with Bryony Lancaster. Well done Yang and we wish you well in your vet studies.

Taking the reins: one student’s journey from equine science to veterinary medicine.

After a career in finance, Yang Wu took an unexpected turn inspired by her love of horses.

Her journey took her from riding lessons and time spent at the stables, to our online MSc Equine Science, and ultimately to the veterinary medicine Graduate Entry Programme.

The Dick Vet community helped Yang find her path, from meeting at an event in Beijing to friendships and mentorship formed online, before she arrived on campus.

“My excellent experience on the MSc programme was the reason that the only vet school I applied for was the Dick Vet. I feel I’m part of a big family.”

Now an on-campus veterinary student, Yang is taking the next steps towards her ambition of becoming an equine vet.

Discover Yang’s unconventional journey to veterinary medicine: https://edin.ac/4Ad5ahg

08/09/2026

Do you have a golden oldie (or even a teenage sensation, like Elvis here!) that you would like to test for Cushing's Disease (aka PPID)?
This is the best time of year to test for accuracy and economy! Complimentary ACTH screening tests are available from now until the end of October through the Care About Cushings website. We will generate a voucher for you, upon request. Please note that the vouchers cover the lab fee for ACTH only, so visit and sampling fees will still apply. Should laminitis risk be a concern, we may also recommend testing blood insulin levels. Please call our lovely reception team to make an appointment!

04/09/2026

To all equine vets: if you are dealing with a case of equine grass sickness then please do get in touch with us, as your data could be vital to our research. You can contact us on [email protected] or PM us on our page. You can also ring us during office hours on 0131 445 6257. Thank you.

04/09/2026

Please make a donation to the Moredun Foundation Equine Grass Sickness Fund. We rely on your help to fund vital research into the cause and a means of preventing the disease.